Video comparator system

Abstract

A comparator is disclosed for examining, inspecting and/or calibrating component parts. The comparator includes a frame, a component supporting system releasably attached to the frame for supporting a component part to be inspected and/or calibrated, a video imaging system attached to the frame for generating a video image of the component part on a video display, a graphic line image generator for superimposing on a video display graphic images arranged to display and represent predetermined dimensional ranges related to the component part, whereby the component part may be compared to the predetermined images of the graphic images.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Video comparator system for inspecting and calibrating a device or component part thereof, which comprises: a) frame means;   b) means releasably attached to said frame means for supporting a device or component part thereof to be inspected and/or calibrated;   c) imaging means attached to said frame means for generating a video image of the device or component part thereof on video display means; and   d) means for generating graphic images to be superimposed on said video display means, said graphic images being arrangeable to display and represent predetermined dimensional ranges related to the component part, whereby the device or component part thereof may be compared to said graphic images.   
     
     
       2. The video comparator system according to claim 1, wherein said imaging means comprises: a) a video camera;   b) a lens assembly having magnification means for focusing said video image; and   c) illumination means for illuminating the focal plane of said lens assembly.   
     
     
       3. The video comparator system according to claim 2, wherein said frame means is significantly rigid to maintain said component securing means and said video imaging means in continuous fixed relationship. 
     
     
       4. The video comparator system according to claim 3, wherein said frame means comprises: a) a base member having at least two upright side walls spatially secured thereto; and   b) an upper platform secured to said side walls.   
     
     
       5. The video comparator system according to claim 4, wherein said component supporting means comprises: a) a first member;   b) component holding means secured to said first member for receiving at least a part of the device or component part thereof;   c) adjusting means secured to said first member for adjusting the dimensions of the device or component part to coincide with said predetermined dimensional ranges; and   d) positioning means secured to said first member for positioning the device or component part within the focal plane of said imaging means.   
     
     
       6. The video comparator system according to claim 5, wherein said graphic images comprise at least one horizontal line or bar. 
     
     
       7. The video comparator system according to claim 6, wherein said graphic images comprise at least one vertical line or bar. 
     
     
       8. Video comparator system for inspecting and calibrating component parts, which comprises: a) a frame;   b) imaging means secured to said frame for generating a video image;   c) line generating means connected to said imaging means for superimposing a graphic line image on said video image thereby generating a composite image;   d) data entry means connected to said line generating means for altering said graphic line image;   e) video display means connected to said line generating means for receiving said composite image; and   f) component support means releasably secured to said frame for releasably supporting a component part and positioning the component part within the focal plane of said imaging means such that said video display means displays the component part.   
     
     
       9. The video comparator system according to claim 8, wherein said imaging means comprises: a) a video camera;   b) a lens assembly attached to said video camera having a magnification means for focusing said video image; and   c) illumination means for illuminating the focal plane of said lens assembly to facilitate image reception by said imaging means and display of said image on said video display means.   
     
     
       10. The video comparator system according to claim 9, wherein said frame is of unitary construction and sufficiently rigid to maintain said component support means and said imaging means in a continuous fixed relationship. 
     
     
       11. The video comparator system according to claim 10, wherein said frame comprises: a) a base member having at least two upright side walls spatially secured thereto; and   b) an upper platform secured to said side walls.   
     
     
       12. The video comparator system according to claim 11, wherein said imaging means is secured to said upper platform such that said focal plane of said imaging means is substantially parallel to said base member. 
     
     
       13. The video comparator system according to claim 12, wherein said component support means comprises: a) a first lower member;   b) component holding means secured to said first lower member for releasably supporting the component part;   c) adjusting means secured to said lower member for adjusting the dimensions of the component part to coincide with predetermined dimensions defined by a setting master adapted to be releasably supported by said component support means; and   d) positioning means secured to said lower member for positioning the component part within said focal plane of said imaging means.   
     
     
       14. The video comparator system according to claim 13, wherein said component support means further comprises an intermediate member positioned between said lower member and said component holding means. 
     
     
       15. The video comparator system according to claim 14, wherein said intermediate member is also positioned between said lower member and said adjusting means. 
     
     
       16. The video comparator system according to claim 15, wherein said adjusting means comprises: a) a guide member secured to said intermediate member; and   b) a slide arm slidably secured to said guide member.   
     
     
       17. The video comparator system according to claim 16, wherein said component holding means includes a retaining means for releasably securing the component part to said component holding means. 
     
     
       18. The video comparator system according to claim 17, wherein said graphic line image comprises at least one horizontal line. 
     
     
       19. The video comparator system according to claim 18, wherein said graphic line image comprises at least one vertical line. 
     
     
       20. The video comparator system according to claim 19, wherein said data entry means includes keys adapted for controlling the up and down movement of said at least one horizontal line. 
     
     
       21. The video comparator system according to claim 20, wherein said data entry means includes keys adapted for controlling the left and right movement of said at least one vertical line. 
     
     
       22. The video comparator system according to claim 21, wherein said data entry means includes menu select means. 
     
     
       23. The video comparator system according to claim 22, wherein said data entry means is a keypad. 
     
     
       24. The video comparator system according to claim 23, wherein said video display means is a video monitor. 
     
     
       25. The video comparator system according to claim 24, wherein said line generating means is secured to said frame. 
     
     
       26. The video comparator system according to claim 25, wherein said magnification means comprises a magnification lens of approximately at least 0.5 magnification. 
     
     
       27. The video comparator system according to claim 25, wherein said magnification means comprises magnification lens of at least approximately 0.67 magnification. 
     
     
       28. The video comparator system according to claim 25, wherein said magnification means comprises a zoom lens of approximately 6.5 magnification. 
     
     
       29. The video comparator system according to claim 25, wherein said illumination means is connected to said lens assembly. 
     
     
       30. The video comparator system according to claim 25, wherein said illumination means comprises: a) a light source;   b) a ring light for dispersing light generated by said light source; and   c) an optical cable for transmitting light from said light source to said ring light.   
     
     
       31. The video comparator system according to claim 24, wherein said line generating means is connected to said data entry means by a data link. 
     
     
       32. Video comparator system for inspecting and calibrating component parts, which comprises: a) a frame;   b) video imaging means secured to said frame for generating a video image;   c) line generating means connected to said imaging means for superimposing a graphic line image on said video image thereby generating a composite image;   d) a keypad connected to said line generating means for altering said graphic line image;   e) a video monitor connected to said graphic line generator for receiving said composite image; and   f) component support means releasably secured to said frame for receiving a component part and positioning the component part within the focal plane of said imaging means such that said video monitor displays the component part.   
     
     
       33. The video comparator system according to claim 32, wherein said video imaging means comprises: a) a video camera;   b) a lens assembly attached to said video camera, having magnification means for focusing said video image; and   c) illumination means for illuminating the focal plane of said lens assembly.   
     
     
       34. The video comparator system according to claim 33, wherein said illumination means comprises: a) a light source;   b) a ring light for dispersing light generated by said light source; and   c) an optical cable for transmitting light from said light source to said ring light.   
     
     
       35. The video comparator system according to claim 34, wherein said frame is of unitary construction and sufficiently rigid to maintain said component support means and said video imaging means in continuous fixed relationship. 
     
     
       36. The video comparator system according to claim 35, wherein said frame comprises: a) a base having at least two upright side walls spatially secured thereto; and   b) an upper platform secured to said side walls.   
     
     
       37. Video comparator system for inspecting and calibrating component parts, which comprises: a) a frame;   b) imaging means secured to said frame for generating a video image;   c) enhanced line generating means secured to said frame for superimposing graphic line and bar images on said video image thereby generating a composite image;   d) data entry means connected to said enhanced line generating means for altering said graphic line and bar images;   e) display means secured to said frame for receiving said composite image; and   f) component support means releasably secured to said frame for releasably supporting a component part and positioning the component part within the focal plane of said imaging means such that said display means displays the component part.   
     
     
       38. The video comparator system according to claim 37, wherein said graphic line and bar images comprise at least one vertical bar, at least one vertical line, at least one horizontal bar and at least one horizontal line. 
     
     
       39. The video comparator system according to claim 38, wherein said enhanced line generating means stores the display in a memory. 
     
     
       40. The video comparator system according to claim 39, wherein said data entry means includes keys adapted for controlling the left and right movement of said at least one vertical line and bar images. 
     
     
       41. The video comparator system according to claim 40, wherein said data entry means includes keys adapted for controlling the up and down movement of said at least on horizontal line and bar images. 
     
     
       42. The video comparator system according to claim 41, wherein said data entry means rotates said graphic line and bar images at an angle from the normal axis. 
     
     
       43. The video comparator system according to claim 42, wherein said enhanced line generating means is connected to said data entry means by a data link. 
     
     
       44. A method of displaying component parts for inspection purposes, comprising: a) releasably supporting a setting master to component support means, said setting master being of predetermined dimensions which represent the corresponding dimensions of a component part;   b) positioning said component support means within the focal plane of imaging means so as to display said setting master on video display means;   c) superimposing a graphic line image on said displayed setting master image;   d) adjusting said graphic line image to outline the dimensions of said setting master thereby providing a reference pattern representative of said setting master;   e) releasably securing a component part to the component support means;   f) comparing the dimensions of the component part with the reference pattern; and   g) removing the component part from said component support means.   
     
     
       45. The method according to claim 44, wherein the step of releasably securing the component part to said component support means is accomplished by retaining means. 
     
     
       46. A method of displaying component parts for calibration and adjusting purposes, comprising: a) generating a reference pattern on a video display;   b) releasably securing a component part to a component support jig;   c) comparing the dimensions of the component part with said reference pattern;   d) adjusting the dimensions of the component part to coincide with said reference pattern; and   e) removing the component part from said component support means.   
     
     
       47. The method according to claim 46, wherein generating a reference pattern comprises: a) releasably securing a setting master to component support means;   b) positioning said component support means within the focal plane of imaging means for displaying said setting master on said video display means;   c) superimposing graphic line image on said video displayed setting master image; and   d) adjusting said graphic line image to align with the dimensions of said setting master thereby providing a reference pattern representative of said setting master.   
     
     
       48. The method according to claim 47, wherein the component part is releasably secured to said component support means by a retaining means. 
     
     
       49. The method according to claim 48, wherein the dimensions of the component part are adjusted by an adjusting means secured to said component support means.